Greenspun Has Sympathy but No Solutions, Yet, for Lines

Fans exasperated by the long concessions lines at Dodger Stadium can get in line behind Marty Greenspun, the senior vice president in charge of business operations.

Greenspun recognizes the problem and has been visiting other stadiums for solutions.

“We are always looking for ways to improve the fan experience,” he said.

An obvious answer is to bring food to the fans by serving it from rolling carts -- a practice Greenspun has seen elsewhere. He traveled with the Dodgers to San Francisco recently and walked around the stadium taking notes. The Giants are allowed to serve hot food from carts.

In Los Angeles, however, local laws and health ordinances make it difficult. The Dodgers are formulating a plan to present to local officials, but it probably won’t be completed until the off-season.

“Additional points of sale will cut down on wait times at concession stands and we are working with local government agencies on compliance issues,” Greenspun said.

Another issue at Dodger Stadium is the tight area between the seats and concession stands on the field level. There isn’t enough room to expand the food area, and food must be transported from an upper level on two elevators.

For the time being, Greenspun is pushing the company that provides concessions, Levy, to operate as efficiently as possible. He tours the stadium during nearly every game with Levy officials, making sure as many concession windows are open as possible and that credit card machines are working properly.

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The Dodgers have stepped up efforts to trade for a veteran pinch-hitter and an experienced relief pitcher by Sept. 1. Any player brought in from outside the organization after that date would not be eligible for the playoffs.

Pickings are slim because only players who have cleared waivers are available. But the pool has gotten somewhat larger the last few days because more teams realize their playoff chances are slim and are willing to unload players.

The Dodgers backed off negotiations with the Baltimore Orioles regarding veteran Jeff Conine because of a clause in his contract that guarantees him $2 million in 2007 if he reaches 450 plate appearances this season.

Conine, who has 428 plate appearances, was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies. The Orioles wanted only a mid-level prospect from the Dodgers but were unwilling to assume enough of the performance guarantee.

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Yhency Brazoban played catch for the first time since having elbow ligament replacement surgery in April, tossing the ball on flat ground 20 times, and said he felt good. It is still unclear whether the right-handed relief pitcher will be able to pitch off a mound by spring training.

“It felt good and the rehab is going well,” he said.

Each week, Brazoban is given a printout several pages long that details the next step in his rehabilitation. The Dodgers are hopeful he can return to the form that enabled him to set franchise rookie records with 74 appearances and 21 saves in 2005.

“If all goes well, I could be pitching off a mound by the time spring training starts,” he said.